Plant: Annual forb to 2 m with stout taproot; often branching above the middle; herbage glandular Leaves: stem leaves alternate, soft velvety, elliptic to oblanceolate; inflorescence a spikelike raceme, erect, slender, many-flowered 20-30 cm long; ovary inferior; flowers small, petals ~2 mm long, pale to bright pinkish; filaments and style exerted Flowers: fruits hard, woody, indehiscent, nutlike, widest near the base. Fruit: fruits hard, woody, indehiscent, nutlike, widest near the base.